Atlanta resident shoots alleged police impersonator during attempted apartment entry at northwest complex, police say
What happened
An Atlanta man was shot late Friday after investigators say he tried to gain entry to an apartment by falsely claiming to be a police officer, prompting the resident inside to fire through the door.
The incident unfolded at the 12th & James Luxury Apartments, a northwest Atlanta complex off James Jackson Parkway NW. Police were called at about 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, and found a 22-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive.
Police allegations and the resident’s response
Investigators say the man approached the victim’s apartment and attempted to convince the occupant to open the door by stating he was a police officer. Police also say he tried to force entry, including kicking the door multiple times. The resident fired through the door, striking him, according to police.
The shooting appears to have occurred during the attempted entry rather than after a face-to-face confrontation in the hallway, based on the account provided by investigators.
Charges filed
Police identified the wounded man as Jaron Jordan. Authorities said he faces the following charges:
- Impersonating a police officer
- Loitering and prowling
- Criminal trespass with damage to property
What is known—and what remains unclear
Police have not publicly released the specific statements allegedly used to impersonate an officer, nor have they detailed whether Jordan wore clothing or displayed items intended to reinforce the claim. Authorities also have not disclosed whether any doorbell camera, hallway surveillance video, or audio recordings captured the encounter.
Investigators have not announced charges against the resident who fired. Georgia law provides for certain defenses when force is used in response to an unlawful and forcible entry into a dwelling, but law enforcement and prosecutors typically evaluate such cases based on the totality of the evidence, including any available video, witness statements, physical damage to the door, and the timing and trajectory of gunfire.
Police said the resident fired through the apartment door after the man allegedly claimed to be an officer and attempted to kick his way inside.
Next steps
The case remains under investigation. Police have not released additional details about the resident, the sequence of events immediately before the shots were fired, or whether investigators recovered any items that could support an impersonation allegation. Further updates are expected as detectives review evidence and court records become available.